Barack Obama A busy year lies ahead. After his inauguration on Jan 23, overseas challenges will include Syria, Iran and Middle East peace. At home, there will be continued talks on cutting the deficit, gun control and probably immigration reform.

Bashar al-Assad The Syrian president could, sooner rather than later, be on a plane to exile, or meet a very unpleasant end. With the Russians quietly abandoning him, he and his English-born wife Asma face some tough calls.

Angela Merkel Likely to be re-elected as German Chancellor in September, she will continue to be the key figure in efforts to save the euro-zone and the modern global economy as we know it.

Benjamin Netanyahu The Israeli prime minister is likely to be re-elected on January 20, and will then have some major decisions. Will he continue to ignore the world and build illegal Jewish settlements on Palestinian land? Will he bomb Iranian nuclear sites? Will he smile?

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Iran’s Supreme Leader will be the key decision maker as his theocratic regime approaches the point when it can “break out” and build a nuclear weapon. Or he can decide to continue spinning the world along and hoping to get away with it.

Silvio BerlusconiSorry to report, but we could be seeing a lot more of the crooner from Milan in 2013. He is talking about standing for office again, despite an ongoing trial for using under-age prostitutes, a four year sentence in 2012 for tax fraud and a current charge of abuse of office. He denies any wrongdoing.

John Kerry Nominated by Barack Obama as US secretary of state, and certain to be confirmed by the senate, the Massachusetts senator will become a familiar global face as he tackles numerous challenges.

John Boehner The Speaker of the House will be a crucial player in Washington as he negotiates with the president on cutting the deficit, on gun laws in the wake of the Newtown massacre and a raft of legislation.

Xi Jingping China’s next president will be inaugurated early in the year and begin a ten-year term expected to see the world’s most populous country continue its economic and military challenge to American and European supremacy.

Kim Jong-un The young man who inherited the leadership of the reclusive communist state after his father’s death could spook the world again with another nuclear test after successfully launching a missile into space.